Court fixes date to hear Diezani’s suit against asset forfeiture

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 6, 2025, to hear the suit filed by former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, challenging the forfeiture of her assets to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The legal dispute stems from a forfeiture case initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which seeks to permanently seize assets allegedly acquired through illicit means during Alison-Madueke’s tenure as minister.

During Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the former minister, Mr. Godwin Inyinbor, informed the court that the case was slated for hearing. However, he noted that they had recently been served with two motions from the EFCC, to which they had already filed responses.

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Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Mofesomo Oyetibo, however, informed the court that he was appearing in the case for the first time.

The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, also hinted that the matter was coming up before him for the first time.

He, consequently, adjourned the case until Oct. 6 for hearing.

NAN reports that in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, which began in 2023, the applicant is praying the court to extend the time to apply for an order to set aside EFCC’s public notice for sale of her assets.

She avers that the order for forfeiture of her assets were made without jurisdiction, arguing that she was denied fair hearing in the proceedings leading to the forfeiture order.

The applicant, therefore, seeks orders, annuling EFCC’s public notice on the sale of her properties.

Besides, she argued that the forfeiture violated her constitutional right to fair hearing as enshrined in section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, adding that she was not served with the charge, proof of evidence or summons.

In response, EFCC, prayed the court to dismiss her application on the grounds that she had been properly brought before the court.

The anti-graft agency averred that the application for final forfeiture of her assets had been properly instituted and conducted following all legal requirements.

(NAN)